Replica plating

Replica plating is a microbiological technique that is used to replicate microorganisms from one agar plate to another in an identical spatial pattern. This technique is commonly used in laboratories to characterize mutant strains of bacteria or yeast.

History

The technique of replica plating was developed by Esther Lederberg and Joshua Lederberg in 1952. The Lederbergs used this technique to discover auxotrophic mutants and to study the genetic recombination in bacteria.

Procedure

The process of replica plating involves the following steps:

1. A velvet pad is soaked in sterile water and pressed onto the surface of an agar plate that contains the microorganisms to be replicated.
2. The velvet pad, now containing the microorganisms, is pressed onto the surface of a new agar plate. This transfers the microorganisms to the new plate in the same spatial pattern as on the original plate.
3. The new plate is incubated to allow the microorganisms to grow.

Applications

Replica plating is used in various fields of microbiology. Some of its applications include:

1. Identifying and isolating mutant strains of bacteria or yeast.
2. Studying the effects of different growth conditions on microorganisms.
3. Testing the susceptibility of microorganisms to different antibiotics.

Limitations

While replica plating is a useful technique, it has some limitations. For example, it may not be suitable for studying microorganisms that are sensitive to the process of being transferred from one plate to another. Also, it may not be able to replicate microorganisms that are present in low numbers on the original plate.

See also

• Microbiology
• Mutation
• Esther Lederberg
• Joshua Lederberg

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